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Background: Ghrelin, identified as an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, functions as a somatotrophic and orexigenic signal from the stomach. The secretion of ghrelin increases under conditions of negative energy balance, such as starvation, cachexia, and anorexia nervosa, whereas its expression decreases under conditions of positive energy-balance such as feeding, hyperglycemia, and obesity. In addition to having a powerful effect on the secretion of growth hormone, ghrelin stimulates food intake and transduces signals to hypothalamic regulatory nuclei that control energy homeostasis. Thus, it is interesting to note that the stomach may play an important role in not only digestion but also a
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